A couple of hours north of Trento we waved goodbye to Sudtirol (probably to return in future), crossed the border into Switzerland and soon joined up with routes we’ve driven on previous trips. We were happy to break a long driving day with a short walk up a small peak with big views at the top of the Fuorn / Ofenpass, then got stuck behind a series of motorhomes, cyclists, a coach and what felt like all the roadworks in Switzerland as we continued over the Fluelapass.

We then spent two nights at Landquart in definitely the best (if most expensive) campsite yet. We cycled around some of the hillside villages and along the Rhine.

Short walk from the Ofenpass /Fuorn Pass – Ortler is the snowy mountain in the distance

Swiss paths!

Good limestone pinnacles (and Ortler again)

View north from the top of Il Jalet

A more meadowy return route

Back to the van in less than an hour

The campsite at Landquart won our hearts by providing not only grass, shade and amazing facilities, but also high chairs to borrow (five weeks of eating on the ground starts to get tiresome!)

Look, Mummy’s finished making my bed!

Late night one hand walkies

Rhine valley, looking towards Chur

Cycling in the towns above the Rhine

Where the Landquart sneaks through to meet the Rhine

Then we headed to Zurich for a fun weekend with Emily, Bernhard and Quentin. It’s been a strange novelty to be back in a house – Jess found the smooth, horizontal floors quite a change from her usual cruising ground and wanted to go outside at every possible opportunity, and we have enjoyed such luxuries as sofas, dishwashers and more than half a metre of bed each! Activities included a linear walk from Rotenthurm to Biberbrugg through some Swiss “moors” (aka bogs), floating down the River Limmat on a selection of inflatables, and having fun / causing chaos on trains.

They were hardly ever this still

Snack time waving

I’m just trying to eat an apricot in peace.

Tall trees

Varied walk to Biberbrugg

Classic Swiss view

Inflating the inflatables

Unimpressed floating down the Limmat

Swimming and floating in the afternoon heating

Youngest paddler on the river

Happy floaters

We’re leaving Zurich this morning after a final nappy wash and feel like we’re really on our way home now. Three (hopefully fairly leisurely) days to get to Calais via France and Belgium…